Studies On Size Heterogeneity Among The Fingerlings Of Heterobranchus Longifilis (Valenciennes 1840) In Relation To Cannibalism

ABSTRACT

This research was designed to make contributions towards solving the problem of cannibalism in Heterobranchus ion gifihis. Female brood stock of Heterobranchus Ion gifihis with initial mean weight of approximately A 200g. 500g. 1000g and 2000g were fed for 6 months with feeds 0 containing 30%, 35%, 40% and 45% crude protein in a complete randomized factorial experiment. The final mean weights of fish were approximately 600g. 1000g. 2000g and 3000g. Hatchlings were produced from these brood fish and reared for 30 days. Four major categories of fingerlings were obtained. Brood stock with mean weight of about 3000g fed with 40% dietary crude protein gave the best result of larger fingerlings. From separate sets of females with mean weights of about 600g, I000g, 1500g. 2000g, 2500g. 3000g and 3500g, mean egg diameter was determined in each group, hatchlings were obtained and reared for 30 days. Mean weight and mean total length of the fingerlings obtained were determined. The result revealed significant differences